Stoke suspensions start to bite

Stoke are facing the prospect of three players being suspended as we start the new year.

Along with Ricardo Fuller, who was red carded at West Ham on Sunday, Stoke will also have to do without the services of Richard Cresswell and Abdoulaye Faye.

Cresswell picked up his fifth yellow of the season in the Boxing Day clash against Man United and will be unavailable for the FA Cup tie at Hartlepool on Saturday whilst Faye saw his fifth yellow at Upton Park and will miss the home match against Liverpool on the 10th January.

Fuller’s three match suspension for his straight red starts immediately and he will miss Hartlepool, Liverpool and the away trip to Chelsea.

Andy Wilkinson, who was dismissed for two yellow cards in the United match, has now served his one match ban and is now available for Saturday’s cup tie.